MY BACKGROUND
We are natives of Pudukkottai, Tamilnadu. My great grandfather late Sri.Natesa Iyer was a Veterinary Doctor, had to go on transfer outside the District. Later My
grandfather Late Sri N.Sivasubramanian alias Appulu (cousin of Late Sri. Gemini Ganesan), a Chartered Accountatnt, settled in Chennai (T.Nagar), was a partner with the Chartered Accountant Firm 'Karra&Co'. My Grandmother Smt. Sarada was an eminent SriVidya Upasaki in Chennai. My father Sri.S.Ravisankar after his post graduation in Chennai (from Vivekananda College) worked in Madurai, Bangalore and now in Mumbai since 1986.
MATERNAL SIDE
My great grandfather late Sri. Ramachandra Iyer was an Advocate in Thanjavur.
My grandparents Smt.Kamakshi, daughter of Sri. Ramachandra Iyer of Thanjavur and
Sri.N.Sankaramani a grand nephew of Justice V.Krishnaswamy Iyer lived for decades in Mylapore --till 1971 in "GURUVILAS" --- building between Vekatramana dispensary and Mylapore Police Station. My mother Kousalya, D/o Smt.Kamakshi & Sri.N.Sankaramani was in Mylapore before marriage.
MYSELF
Born (11/10/1986) & brought up in Mumbai with strong cultural values. I did schooling in K.V., I.I.T., Powai, Mumbai. I was in the school band group, playing bag-pipe. I learnt yoga in school which I continue to practice even now. I learnt swimming and skating in summer holidays. I have completed B.Tech Biotechnology in July'08. I am in Chennai from Feb 2009, working for Life Cell International Pvt.Ltd. in their Research and Development department.
As regards dance, I started training in Bharata Natyam in 1993, under the tutelage of Guru Smt. Padmini Radhakrishnan of Soundarya Natya Kalalaya, Ghatkopar, Mumbai. After Arangetram in 2001, I have given several acclaimed solo recitals and also participated in group dances and Ballets, taking leading roles, I have many titles and Awards to my credit. I am very keen on pursuing dance to greater heights.
I am a Visharad in Bharata Natyam, pursuing MFA in Bharata Natyam. I am a recipient of the Scholarship in Bharat Natyam from The Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
I learnt Nattuvangam from my Guru Smt.Padmini Radhakrishnan during my scholarship period. Though I could not devote my full time for vocal carnatic music, I am keen on learning the dance numbers. I have supported my guru Smt.Padmini Radhakrishnan on Vocal and Nattuvangam on select occasions.
From May 2009, I am pursuing my passion with Smt.Roja Kannan in Chennai.
The languages I am very
comfortable with are Tamil, English and Hindi.
MY FATHER
My father, Mr.S.Ravisankar is a Post Graduate in Mathematics from Vivekananda College, Chennai. He is at present a Senior Consultant in the Delivery side, in 3i Infotech Limited, Mumbai in the BFSI Vertical. Hailing from a musical family (ancestors from Pudukkotai), he has his deep roots in Bhajans and Music Circle. He has a great passion for Tamil and culture.
He is a Mridangist. He took training under Late Shri.Sanjeevi Rao, a disciple of Late Shri.Palaghat Mani Iyer, and later under Shri. Gundupalli Krishnamurthy Rao. He plays Mridangam for Bhajans, Music concerts & Dance Performances.
He accompanies me on the Mridangam for all my solo Bharata Natyam recitals.
MY MOTHER
My Mother, Mrs.Kousalya Ravisankar, is a Mathematics Graduate (Stella Maris College, Chennai) and a Teaching Graduate from Tamil Nadu. She is in teaching profession since 1992, specializing in Mathematics up to X standard. A grand homemaker and a catalyst in bringing out the talent of all family members.
She manages all my programmes and is also in charge of dress, make up and compere (in Tamil or English) in all my programmes.
MY ELDER SISTER
My only sister, Mrs. Divya Shivkumar, is a B.E. from Mumbai University working for Infosys Technologies Ltd., presently in USA. She is very much interested and
engaged in off-beat Dance Choreography. Her grasp over even the minutest of rhythmic beats and expression of dance is worth mentioning. When she was in India she used to do compering for my programmes. Even from abroad
she guides and encourages me. Her husband Mr.Shivkumar Sankaranarayanan is a Tele communication Engineer with Spirent Communications, USA. They both are in Texas, USA. He is a good Piano player. He also has come to mentionable heights in Chess in USA, regularly participating in competitions and tournaments.
MY RELATIVES
My uncles Mr.S.Nagarajan & Mr.S. Ramakrishnan and aunts Mrs.Malathy & Mrs.Mallika are at Chennai support and encourage me very well. One of my cousins
Ms.Niranjana Nagarajan (pet name – Ninja) is a cricketer, Fast bowler representing Indian Women’s Cricket Team, working for Railways.
